In attempt to keep ongoing journals on here as a way of reminiscing in the future I am gonna list the thoughts I shared on FB as a blog post. Each paragraph will be different thoughts that I posted at different times as I processed the tragedy throughout the weekend.
"In response to some of the posts, blogs and tweets I've read:
I have seen such a variety of emotions and responses regarding the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Some have been the sweetest most sincere raw emotions one can express as parents and teachers. I have also seen responses that have been nothing but judgement, political rants and raves, criticisms and "I told you so". I've even seen people use this opportunity to prove there is no God...but just as opposite Christians who are using this opportunity to politicize God in schools. And I must say, I've even been disappointed with some of the responses from Christians...from skeptics and non believers, I expect such responses but Christians...NO! And now it's time for my rant, albeit, it might not be the time or place. But during a time of such tragedy, the last impressions non believers and skeptics need to see or hear are the ones that show lack of faith, love, mercy and grace. It's times like this that our faith in Christ can be a beacon of hope and light. This is NOT the time or incident that we start pointing to reasons as means of a blame game as to why this happened b/c we don't know!!! And it's ok to express that we do not know b/c what we do know is far greater than any speculations and blames of why...we know the HOPE and LIGHT of a Saviour who is the only answer to any tragedy and evil this world bestows on us. This is a time that Christians can glorify God and live examples of the Hope, Love, Faith and most needed Peace that He gives and so greatly wants a lost world to see and accept. When we as Christians use this opportunity to judge, politicize God, go on rants that compare this to abortion, we miss an even bigger opportunity to show who what this fallen world really needs from us and that is the faith, love, hope and peace he called us to show. Yes, there is a time and place for preaching God's judgement but during the most raw of these, pointing fingers of blame is not either."
I have seen such a variety of emotions and responses regarding the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Some have been the sweetest most sincere raw emotions one can express as parents and teachers. I have also seen responses that have been nothing but judgement, political rants and raves, criticisms and "I told you so". I've even seen people use this opportunity to prove there is no God...but just as opposite Christians who are using this opportunity to politicize God in schools. And I must say, I've even been disappointed with some of the responses from Christians...from skeptics and non believers, I expect such responses but Christians...NO! And now it's time for my rant, albeit, it might not be the time or place. But during a time of such tragedy, the last impressions non believers and skeptics need to see or hear are the ones that show lack of faith, love, mercy and grace. It's times like this that our faith in Christ can be a beacon of hope and light. This is NOT the time or incident that we start pointing to reasons as means of a blame game as to why this happened b/c we don't know!!! And it's ok to express that we do not know b/c what we do know is far greater than any speculations and blames of why...we know the HOPE and LIGHT of a Saviour who is the only answer to any tragedy and evil this world bestows on us. This is a time that Christians can glorify God and live examples of the Hope, Love, Faith and most needed Peace that He gives and so greatly wants a lost world to see and accept. When we as Christians use this opportunity to judge, politicize God, go on rants that compare this to abortion, we miss an even bigger opportunity to show who what this fallen world really needs from us and that is the faith, love, hope and peace he called us to show. Yes, there is a time and place for preaching God's judgement but during the most raw of these, pointing fingers of blame is not either."
This was in response to so many claiming God is not in our schools hence the reason the shooting happened:
"First, God has never left schools. School officials may not be able to publicly pray but he's still there. To say he's not is to say God removed himself therefor forsaking us. Second, where he needs to be most is in the hearts of humans and the heart of homes. A parent's, a teacher's or a school administrator's prayer is no less just b/c it's not publicly prayed. God can still be glorified when a teacher or student helps the least of these. God can still be glorified when a parent prays with their child before school. God can still be glorified when a group of students stand outside their school before classes and openly prays for their fellow students, teachers and country. God can still be glorified when students publicly ask God to bless their food before eating. God can still be glorified when students show love, grace, mercy and hope to those in need during school. It's not just about a public display of prayer, it's about a public display of a life lived for Christ that goes far beyond a 'routine out of obligation prayer'. There are so many crying out for prayers to be put back into schools and while this would be ideal, it's just not gonna happen. So I ask...how many of us pray at home, how many walk the halls of the school in prayer, how many meet with fellow parents on a consistent basis praying for their children, fellow friends and classmates and the school administration, how many live a life that glorifies God outside of church? Fully relying on the government to be responsible for 'God in schools' is not the answer and not the will of God."
Sunday night preparing to take the boys to school the following Monday morning:
"Tomorrow will be the hardest morning to watch my boys walk away leaving my wings of care when I drop them off at school. Unbeknownest to them, innocence was yet again stripped away. My worries as their mother became even more valid this past Friday. I, too, am just like the mom's of Sandy Hook...never thinking it will happen at our school. Now that possibility became a little more realistic and I will have to face that worry head on tomorrow morning between 7:15 and 7:30. I just thought my tears on the first day were hard to contain but tomorrow will be no comparison."
